The Traffic

Tinubu Hails Nigeria’s Democratic Progress Since 1999, Says System Has Risen from the Ashes

By Achimi muktar 

In a passionate address to a joint session of the National Assembly on Democracy Day, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared that Nigeria’s democracy has risen “from the ashes” since its return to civilian rule in 1999—despite repeated challenges and political storms.

Speaking on Thursday, June 12, during the maiden State of the Nation address, Tinubu described the progress made since the historic but annulled June 12, 1993, election as a symbol of Nigeria’s resilience and determination to uphold democratic values.

“Every time we argue instead of fight, we promote democracy,” Tinubu said, reflecting on the sacrifices of democratic icons like Chief MKO Abiola, who paid the ultimate price for Nigeria’s freedom. While he hailed Abiola as the symbol of June 12, he also reminded lawmakers that many others contributed to the struggle for the democratic rights Nigerians now enjoy.

“This is why I’ve chosen to stand before you today,” he said. “Though we may not always agree, the Executive and Legislature must forge a united path forward.”

Tinubu highlighted a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey—the 2010 invocation of the Doctrine of Necessity by the National Assembly, which ushered in President Goodluck Jonathan amidst political uncertainty. “That act preserved this democracy,” he said, praising the lawmakers’ boldness and commitment.

The President also pushed back at critics who suggest that Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is inching toward one-party rule.

“For those who ring the alarm that the APC is on the path of a one-party state — at no time shall I view the notion of a one-party state as good for Nigeria. I will be the last person to advocate for it,” he declared.

In what appeared to be a jab at the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP), Tinubu remarked:
“They once boasted of ruling Nigeria for 100 years. Where are they now? Even with all of that, they could not control my destiny — or the destiny of this nation.”

And while he insisted he had no intention of helping the PDP fix its internal crisis, he added with a grin, “The PDP’s current state works perfectly well for me.”

Still, Tinubu issued a subtle warning to his own party: “The APC must never become a closed shop. We must remain open to new ideas and new members if we are to survive.”

As Nigeria marks 26 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, Tinubu’s speech struck a tone of both triumph and caution — reminding Nigerians of how far they’ve come, and how much farther they must go to fulfill the promise of democracy.